Litro Gas Lanka clinches two NIOSH awards for exceptional HSE strategy and practice

Litro Gas Senior Management Team receiving the two awards at NIOSH Awards 2019 

Litro Gas Lanka, the largest importer and supplier of LP Gas in Sri Lanka received high honours at the recently-concluded National Occupational Safety and Health Excellence Awards (NIOSH) 2019 clinching two awards in light of the Company’s exceptional health, safety and environmental mechanism and strategy. Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. won the overall Bronze Award from all nine categories considered for NIOSH Awards, while Litro Gas Terminal won the Award in the ‘other’ category.  

A fitting testament to Litro’s impeccable health and safety approach and sustainability strategy, NIOSH awards are presented following a stringent, focused and comprehensive evaluation process. 

“The NIOSH evaluation process is well-structured, comprehensive and designed to select exceptional candidates who adhere to the highest and most progressive HSE approaches. As such, it was an honour to receive this recognition,” commented Litro Gas Director Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Jayantha Basnayake. NIOSH Awards covers nine broad areas of HSE concerns, subjecting award contenders to a rigorous evaluation process including site visits, risk reviews and audits. The companies that meet the minimum HSE standards receive merit awards and those that earn the highest marks emerge sector winners. 

Receiving two NIOSH awards is a significant achievement, especially as the Liquid Petroleum Gas industry is a high-risk industry. Litro maintains a HSE policy designed to keep the risks as ‘as ‘As Low As Reasonable Practicable Levels’ (ALARP). The Company maintains mandatory Stand Operating Procedures to ensure that each task goes through a Permit-To-Work and Risk Assessment. Litro employees discuss safety aspects of all tasks for the day during the ‘Tool-Box meeting’ each morning. 

The teams discuss each job at length in accordance to the Risk Assessment Matrix which involves various controls in risk assessment such as engineering controls, admin controls, and personnel protective equipment. Once each consignment reaches the designated site, the relevant team carries out a last minute risk assessment to assess the ground level situation and take necessary precautions to prevent health, safety or environmental hazards. 

“Our HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) strategy revolves around the highest local and global standards and we observe the golden rules of HSE – comply, intervene and respect. While we engage all our business partners as well as employees in the HSE process through timely training, the scope of our process spans across every aspect of our business beginning from the point of securing LPG from ships at our own terminal facilities to distribution to the end user,” added Basnayake. 

In addition, Litro conducts periodical HSE audits and training to maintain high standards of HSE. During the last two years, Litro enhanced its sustainability approach and safety culture through various projects and programs such as the annual safety week. 

The Company uses a HSE credit system to provide each employee with a HSE credit target to promote a culture of accountability. Litro adheres to best practices of ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System.